Friday, April 18, 2014

256: CHRIST IS RISEN: EASTER MORNING

Of all weeks in the year, from Palm Sunday to Easter Morning is the most sacred and holy. Unfortunately colored eggs, chocolate bunnies and candy baskets usually get center stage instead of the observance of the culminating events in Christ's life . For Christian around the world, this week is called “Holy Week.” As Latter-day Saints, we don’t use that term. We tend to focus mostly on just Easter morning and the Resurrection. However, I think it is important that we remember the entire week and not just the "finale."

Here are a few highlights of Christ’s last week.

Palm Sunday: The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem when Palm fronds were waved. (Culturally, the Palm tree represents the Tree of Life).

Thursday: The Last Supper. Christ gives His final address to His disciples and washes their feet. (There is a misconception that the Last Supper was the Passover Meal. While Christ’s last supper with his disciples was a sacred meal, it was not Passover. If we remember, the Jews had to crucify him before Passover. Passover that year was on the Sabbath, (on Saturday.) That's why the Jews had to crucify Christ on Friday because they think His crucifixion would defile their Passover.)

Thursday evening: Christ’s atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Friday early morning (still dark): Christ is arrested in the Garden by the temple guards (not Roman soldiers, but the paramilitary guard of the Sanhedrin)

Friday morning: The three trials of Christ take place (Annas, the High Priest and the Sanhedrin, judgment hall of Pilate

Friday afternoon: Christ is crucified.

Saturday: Christ's descent to hell to “spirit prison” (D&C 138)

Sunday morning: The Resurrection of Christ (before sunrise while still dark) and His Ascent.

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Many people have been looking in the heavens this week. Primarily to the see the full moon on Passover. Here is a suggestion of something beautiful to witness on Easter Morning this Sunday.

Photo taken at Sunrise on Easter morning on top of Hidden Peak in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Suggestion to do on Easter morning:

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine asked me to attend an early morning sunrise service on Easter morning up on top of Hidden Peak at Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon. All who want to attend can ride the tram to the top of the mountain for free. It's up in the mountains that you get a true sunrise, one where you see the sun rises on an equal plane with you or, in the case of being on top of Hidden Peak, rises below you.

For those who would like to attend this Sunday morning, the service begins at 6:41 a.m. The first Tram departs at 5:21 a.m. from the Cliff Lodge. The last Tram is at 6:21 a.m. It is important to arrive early to guarantee your spot on the Tram.

No matter what you do this weekend, whether you get up to see the sunrise up in the mountains or from your backyard.. We all would do well to think of Christ this Easter. Remember who He is, Remember what He did.. and His relationship with each of us. He loves us of that I testify.

Full sun in Glory

Full moon over the Pfeifferhorn mountain as seen from Hidden Peak. Taken on Easter morn 2012